Cat food and dietary needs

Whether you own a picky Persian or a ravenous Russian Blue, you’re not alone in worrying whether your cat is too greedy, too fussy, underweight or overweight. Whatever the breed, you need to be in the know about a cat’s healthy diet and your pet’s eating habits.

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Ever wondered about your cat's nutritional needs and strange eating habits? We answer some of your most commonly asked questions, from "what is a healthy diet for cats?" to "is my cat's weight normal?

1. My cat only eats dry food and has put on some weight – is this a problem?

Just as we humans have food preferences, so do our cats. If your cat will only eat dry food and doesn’t like any wet food, it’s not necessarily a problem. However, if you notice that your pet is gaining weight, you may want to take a look at their food and exercise, as obesity results from a combination of too many calories and a lack of physical activity.

You should always try to be aware of how many calories per day you are feeding your cat (check the food packets for this information) and your vet should also be able to advise exactly how much food your pet needs. If you’re worried about your cat’s eating habits, a great tool to understand what weight your pet should be is the Petplan body condition score, but as always, if you have any concerns about your pet's weight it's important to get them checked over at the vet.

2. What is a healthy diet for cats?

There are many kinds of cat food available, from food you buy at the supermarket, to online brands, to the food that your vet stocks. So how do you choose a healthy diet for cats?

Look for cat food that:

• Is complete, offering all they need – it should say this on the label.
• Comes in different flavours to avoid boredom.
• Comes with both wet and dry choices, to add variety.
• Is easy for you to find – you don’t want to spend hours sourcing food.
• Is suitable for your cat’s age – you can choose foods for weight loss, for kittens or elderly cats and foods for cats with specific dietary needs.
• Is approved by UK Pet Food (formerly the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association or PFMA).
• Affordable – you should be able to consistently provide the food to avoid any sudden changes to your cat's diet.

Cats are referred to as ‘obligate carnivores’. This means that they must eat a meat-based diet to acquire some of the essential amino acids that their body cannot produce. If you choose to feed a raw food diet, it’s better to choose a commercially available brand rather than trying to make it yourself, due to the high risk of deficiencies.

3. My cat loves hunting; do I need to worry about what they’re eating outside?

Cats that roam and hunt tend to have a decreased risk of obesity, because they’re moving around more. Even if your cat regularly catches mice, birds and other small creatures, you probably won’t need to reduce their ration of food fed at home. You may worry about the risk of illness contracted from creatures your cat catches but rest assured that cats never eat carrion (dead and decaying flesh), so the only health concern around eating prey is the possibility of picking up some parasites. For this reason, make sure that cats who roam are wormed regularly and treated for fleas and ticks. 

4. My cat is eating as usual but seems to be losing weight. Should I be concerned?

Any unexpected and unintended weight loss should be investigated as there may be a medical reason behind it. Your vet should be able to test for possible causes of weight loss, such as thyroid or kidney problems. Check what weight your cat should be and book a check-up if your cat has unexplained weight loss – don’t just start feeding them more.

5. My young cat gobbles his food in seconds, then tries to eat my older cat’s food as well. What should I do?

Cats need different nutrients at different life stages - kitten, adult and senior - and their diets should be tailored according to their age. For example, protein and calcium needs are highest when kittens are growing rapidly, or when mother cat is feeding her kittens.

As cats age, they need fewer calories to avoid gaining weight as well as a lesser volume of higher-quality protein so that their kidneys don’t have to work as hard. Adult cats eating kitten food are likely to gain excess weight. In households with multiple cats, it can be challenging to ensure that all are eating the right diet, so it’s best to feed cats in separate rooms if possible.

Uneaten food should be removed until the next meal. Don’t leave food out between feeds, as cats may eat when bored, increasing the risk of weight gain. Generally, it’s best to feed cats three or four smaller meals a day.